The present simple in English

What’s new everybody?

It’s that fun time to learn about English grammar again and everyone at ABA knows you all love to learn. Today’s post is very important as it will teach you about the present simple tense in English.

How to form the present simple

Unlike other languages, the present simple tense in English is relatively easy to form as all of the subjects have the same conjugation with regular verbs EXCEPT the third person singular which has an additional “-s”. That is to say that “he”, “she” and “it” have an additional “-s” at the end of their conjugations. You will get a better idea seeing verbs conjugated.

To speak

I speak

You speak

He/she/it speaks

We speak

They speak

 

To learn

I learn

You learn

He/she/it learns

We learn

They learn

 

To do

I do

You do

He/she/it does

We do

They do

Do you notice that the third person singular of the verb “to do” is different? This is due to the fact that verbs which end in the following: “-ss”, “-sh”, “-ch”, “-x” and “-o” have an “-es” added to the end of the third person singular conjugation instead of an “-s”.

The most importants verbs in the English language “to be” and “to have” are irregular in the present tense but it is very important for us to know their conjugation.

To be

I am

You are

He/she/it is

We are

They are

 

To have

I have

You have

He/she/it has

We have

They have

Examples:

You want to learn English.

I listen to the radio. (The verb “to listen” is always followed by the preposition “to”)

You have a goal: to speak English.

What else is important?

In addition to learning the basics of the present simple tense in English it is important to bear in mind that “the” is the only definite article in English and “a” or “an” if followed by a word beginning with a vowel, are the only indefinite articles in English.

Examples:

You enjoy the party.

He writes a letter.

She learns English.

You speak English.

You record a song.

We do everything very well.

They like my new car.

I read a novel.

Time to practise…

As we can see from today’s post, the framework of the present simple tense in English is easy and like most things, the most difficult thing is putting it into practise, which is why you are urged to go and speak to as many people as you can to practise this tense, among other grammar aspects as much as you can.

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